Uncle charged in accidental shooting of 4-year-old boy at Irvington Super Bowl party

Google MapsA map of 21st Street in Irvington, where a child was shot in the arm when a firearm discharged.

IRVINGTON — A 17-year-old from Irvington is facing criminal charges after a gun he was handling accidentally fired and shot his 4-year-old nephew in the arm, police said today.

The teen was at a Super Bowl house party in Irvington Sunday night, according to Lt. Michael Tomich. He was sitting at a table playing cards when he took out a firearm intending to place it either on a chair or on the floor when it accidentally discharged, Tomich said.

The 17-year-old, who police did not identify because he is a minor, faces aggravated assault and child endangerment charges, according to Tomich. He is being held at the Essex County Juvenile Detention Center.

Police are still trying to recover the firearm, which was likely a small caliber handgun, Tomich said.

Family and friends had gathered Sunday night to watch the game at a multiple-family residence on 180 21st Street in Irvington, where the teen also lives, when the shot fired off around 10:30 p.m.

The child, whose identity is not being release because of his age, was shot in his right arm and released Monday from University Hospital in Newark after being hospitalized and listed in stable condition Sunday night, police said.

The child was placed in the custody of the Division of Youth and Family Services on Monday, according to police.